Recap by phillip woo

Favourite Applause just out-dashed Better Choice following a prominent run for the win. Zac Purton was able to produce the goods after threatening in three of four other starts. Better Choice found one just too good after looming a winning chance 100m out following a midfield run one off the fence. Khaki finished well after being ridden for luck third from the rear from a wide gate. He's racing in good spirits and clearly has the tools to add to an earlier win. Lightning Steed stayed on non-threatening fourth after travelling deep better than midfield. He went okay following a stable change but isn't anything special. Punted late Wah May Princess came up flat 100m out after shaking off a midrace battle for the front by Deal Maker. He's making natural progress in his three starts. Flying Force got badly squeezed out when trying to go for a gap between runners settling midfield on the fence. He likely would have had a say in the finish.

Racing Incident Report

Race Four: (249) - THE HONG KONG GOLF CLUB CENTENARY CUP (HANDICAP) - Class 4 - 1200Meters

When parading, DEAL MAKER became fractious and kicked out.

In this incident, K C Leung, the rider of DEAL MAKER, dismounted without incident.

On arrival at the barriers, DEAL MAKER was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race.

TEST THE STARS, which was fractious in the barriers, lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and lost ground.

FLYING FORCE got its head up shortly after the start.

When being steadied in order to shift across behind runners form a wide barrier, SHARPMIND was bumped a short distance after the start by DEAL MAKER which shifted out abruptly.

In this incident, DEAL MAKER became unbalanced after bumping SHARPMIND.

KHAKI, which was racing to the outside of SHARPMIND, was inconvenienced in consequence.

Despite being ridden along for some distance in the early stages, KHAKI failed to muster speed.

From the outside barrier, MURRAY'S PARTNERS was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

For some distance after the 1000 Metres, LIGHTNING STEED got its head up when awkwardly placed behind APPLAUSE.

After this, LIGHTNING STEED travelled keenly and was awkwardly placed behind APPLAUSE before being shifted away from that horse's heels near the 750 Metres.

After the 800 Metres, MISCHIEVOUS SUNDAE travelled wide and without cover.

Making the turn near the 600 Metres, FLYING FORCE got its head up when travelling keenly.

FLYING FORCE was then checked away from the heels of RUN MOOCHI after the 500 Metres when continuing to travel keenly.

Rounding the Home Turn, FLYING FORCE was awkwardly placed behind RUN MOOCHI.

Passing the 300 Metres, RUN MOOCHI was shifted to the inside of WAH MAY PRINCESS when disappointed for running between that horse and DEAL MAKER which shifted in when commencing to give ground.

At the 250 Metres, FLYING FORCE was checked when unable to improve between MISCHIEVOUS SUNDAE and APPLAUSE which raced tight inside LIGHTNING STEED.

A veterinary inspection of DEAL MAKER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

APPLAUSE and BETTER CHOICE were sent for sampling.